When my twin brother and I were born, my parents already had seven children. My father was an especially busy and stressed man. Even so, he managed to tell us bedtime stories and rouse us out of bed the next morning. But he didn’t have time to help me with my Little League baseball swing. I learned to swim in gym class. And my mother was the one who got more gray hair helping me learn to drive.
Even though my father worked harder than anyone I ever knew, our family still struggled financially. Yet, we never missed meals. And, while the thermostat was set rather low during the New England winters, no one froze to death.
My father couldn’t hand over earthly riches to my siblings and me. Yet he, along with my mother, never ceased in his efforts to hand over to all of us the rich beauty of the Catholic faith.
Our faith is the greatest gift our parents give us. Thank you Lord, for our wonderful parents, and bless those who do not have the guiding light of a parent in their lives. Prayer to St. Jude in Times of Suffering Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, I place myself into your hands at this difficult time. Help me to know that I am not alone. Please pray for me, asking God to send me comfort for my sorrows, bravery for my fears, and healing for my suffering. Ask our loving God to strengthen my faith and give me the courage to accept His Will for my life. Thank you, St. Jude, for the hope you offer to all who believe in you. Amen.
This is beautiful! Reminds me of my parents. They knew what mattered most.
Terence, that's a Very Blessed Testimony. I can attest to what you lived. Continue to be Blessed!
Thank you, Terrence, for your sharing. Your story reminds much of my own childhood. I grew up in a mixed marriage - my mother was Catholic, my father was Methodist. I call him my "father" since it was a second marriage for both of my parents and I have no memory of my birth father. My parents never had a great deal of money, and my father worked a variety of jobs throughout his lifetime. We were always cared for - we had what we needed, not always what we wanted, but we always felt loved. My father treated my sister and I (from my mother's first marriage) as though we were his own. He never had much time to spend with us due to the jobs he had, but he cared for us in so many ways, including paying the tuition so we could all attend Catholic schools. We may not have had the worldly things that many of our friends had, but we definitely were blessed with the love we received from our parents. I thank God every day for our parents and how their love has strengthened me throughout my life. Our family was smaller (I have three sisters, one who died as a young adult), but I know many large families and the love I see in those families is a constant reminder of the faithfulness of God to those who follow His plan for them.
Jeff, thank you for sharing this. amen.
Terrence your words are healing and helpful for us to reflect on. To see God in our struggles. It's hard to do sometimes but I bet we can all see where he had a hand in it. LFF you are some amazing people, SURVIVORS and that is a very important positive quality that God will reward. My reminder to remember that through those times in the past God gave me a hand up to get through. Vicky G your are my hero, blessings to you! jane you are an inspiration to me your sharing and memory of needs is magical. Blessings to all the LFF especially those with extra needs, Jane's mum, Laura and more. May all these survivors spread the love of God through all the world.
Stormi, thank you for your kind words. To our dedicated LFF members, you are all amazing, faith-filled individuals who have made a loving community here. Thank you all for supporting Living Faith and each other each day.
AMEN!
Not sure but there may be others out there who share feelings and can’t or won’t express them. When I was very much younger a meditation like this would have been difficult to read and haunt me through the day. I did not have a father or mother that read me bedtime stories. I slept in an enclosed porch with no working windows (they didn’t open) and no heat on a mattress where the box springs came up through the mattress to make bleeding scratches on my back even with covers layered over them—so I just started sleeping on the cement floor. My brothers (2) and I many times were hungry. Social services were not then what they are today and the school system did next to nothing even seeing our situation. I’ve told you I went to Catholic school—mom sent us there because we could have one uniform and one pair of shoes for a year without her paying the tuition at times, some were sympathetic but my brothers and I dropped our heads most of the time with those teachers and religious having to council mom often. The number of children doesn’t always matter—3 of us suffered just as much as if there were 10 of us I think—at least we could have and still would be able to support each other….as it is the 2 brothers have malice towards each other and have not spoken to each other in many years . In case you are in or have lived a similar situation—-my difficultly in hearing others loving, if not idealic, childhood has greatly decreased and I live my life in an attitude that I will be a parent following the Holy Family as much as possible—specifically not to be the parents I had. As well, I make great effort to see the child that is sad or dressed poorly or has a bad attitude because one never knows what that child’s life is behind a closed door. One child, 10 children, it is the love and value placed on a little human and not the material things that mean the difference and that goes to children you meet in your neighborhoods or schools or who work as a check out clerk at the local fast food. I pray for so many of those little souls as well—-even the teenage drug dealer down the street—I don’t like him but I pray for him. In my home today I am making a difference to the two children I have, one with muscular dystrophy and one with autism who is now severely injured. My experiences lead me in what not to do and how not to be. Bad experiences don’t have to lead to bad if we commit to Jesus and His loving example. Hope this touches someone today in a positive way!
Vicky, thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for being an angel to those who need it most. Amen.
Thank you for sharing! Life is not easy for many I thank God for the grace and mercy he shows to all who open their hearts. You obviously have opened your heart. I too have two special need's children, (actually now adults) by the grace of God I have learned so much through their suffering and unconditional Love. Blessings come in many different forms. Also thank you for the reminder that we must not only pray for the victims of earthly horrors but also for the conversion of those who have been misled into a life of sin. May you and all the Living Faith Family continue to be blessed with the Grace, Peace and Mercy we can only find through our faith in God.
Amen!
Vicky G., What a powerful testimony! I am sorry that you had to undergo such difficulties in your childhood. Thank you for being willing to share your story. Your dedication to your own children is such a beautiful example to others. Urging our LF family to "commit to Jesus and His loving example" is especially impactful. Thank you again!
I imagined myself sitting on a cold hill side listening to the Lord along with 71 of my brothers. We have just returned from our trip doing the things the Lord told us to do. What a great feeling! Everything He told us to do actually worked! Now fast-forward 2000 years. I'm sitting comfortably in my warm office, drinking coffee and reflecting on the gospel's message. Am I a doer or do I just read and reflect? (I'm not liking the answer I'm getting...time for some changes in my life).
Terence, I loved this reflection and I know your parents do, too. Some things in life cannot be bought. Only the most valuable have to be experienced, learned or earned. Your parents did a phenomenal job of allowing you to experience God’s love through theirs. Lifting Laura today that she may feel God’s healing presence in her wounds. Also tucking Jane and her mum, as well as Garrett and Vicky into the protection of their Gaurdian Angels, today. Amen.
I grew up in a very similar home. I was envious of other families at the time but I look back now and thank God every day for the amazing parents He Blessed me with. I miss my parents dearly! I know they rest in the presence of the Lord!
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen
My feelings (and my life) exactly Thomas
I'm glad there are some good people in this world. The Catholic faith plays a big part in inspiring kind, honest and hard-working families. I do not take this lightly- it is appreciated. Money solves most problems, but a good person also is of great value. Thank you!
Amen :) Thank you for sharing this special story about your family :) Happy Tuesday Living Faith Family :)
The book of Isaiah is the Gospel of the Old Testament :-) *** The promise of the Messiah (Branch) from Jesse's (king David's father) family in Isaiah 11:1, "Jesse’s family is like a tree that has been cut down. A new little tree will grow from its stump. From its roots a Branch will grow and produce fruit!" *** The Messiah's growing up years described in Isaiah 11:2-3a, "The Spirit of the Lord will rest on that Branch. The Spirit will help Him to be wise and understanding. The Spirit will help Him make wise plans and carry them out. The Spirit will help Him know the Lord and have respect for Him. The Branch will take delight in respecting the Lord!" *** The Messiah's attributes described in Isaiah 11:5, "He will put on godliness as if it were His belt. He’ll wear faithfulness around hHs waist!" ******* The promises of God's Kingdom on earth when the Messiah returns described in Isaiah 11:6-9, "Wolves will live with lambs. Leopards will lie down with goats. Calves and lions will eat together. And little children will lead them around. Cows will eat with bears. Their little ones will lie down together. And lions will eat straw like oxen. A baby will play near a hole where cobras live. A young child will put its hand into a nest where poisonous snakes live. None of those animals will harm or destroy anything or anyone on my holy mountain of Zion. The oceans are full of water. In the same way, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord!" *** All these will happen and take place in Isaiah 11:3b-4, "He will not judge things only by the way they look. He won’t make decisions based simply on what people say. He will always do what is right when He judges those who are in need. He’ll be completely fair when He makes decisions about poor people. When He commands that people be punished, it will happen. When He orders that evil people be put to death, it will take place!" *** Acts 13:23, From this man’s family line (king David) God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus. This is what He had promised!" ***Come, Lord Jesus!!
Perhaps, they should not have had so many children.
Who are you to say what God does! Be Blessed!
Wow!
I’m sure Terrence and his twin are glad they did! As one of nine I can relate to your sharing Terrence. As children we never had everything we wanted but we had everything we needed. Most of all we had faith which has carried us through the good times and the hard times. When my father was 41 years old he and my oldest brother, who was married with a 6 month old baby, died in a boating accident and their bodies were not recovered for many months. My mother was 8 months pregnant with her ninth child. The very next day my Mom and I went to the Novena of St. Jude at our church. That was where her faith led her in her most difficult hour and it was a lesson in faith for all of us children. My mom never remarried and lived a long life filled with the love of many children and grandchildren. God was faithful and her trust in Him never wavered.
Welcome. You have earned a spot on my prayer list.
Amen... thanks Terence....I identify with how you grew up. My father worked tirelessly in blue collar jobs...I mostly admire my mother for ensuring her 8 kids attended school, were brought up in the Catholic faith, were baptised, made 1st communion, made confirmation and attended Sunday school
Amen! Continue to be Blessed!
Anne, thank you for sharing the story of your family. Your mom's incredible faith is a valuable lesson to all us.
Amen! To God Our Father be all the glory. The Great Provider.
Jehovah Jireh...יְהֹוָה יִרְאֶה..."the Lord will provide"
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AMEN!